Compliance in the UK lettings sector is often treated as a box-ticking exercise. Gas Safety Certificates, EPCs, and Deposit Protection Schemes are the well-known essentials that every agent expects to manage, but the real risks don’t always come with a checklist. Oversights can lead to crippling fines, legal battles, and reputational damage, with the biggest threats often lurking in grey areas of legislation, quiet regulatory changes, and obligations that only become clear when something goes wrong.

The Scottish Government has launched a technical consultation on proposed changes to lodgement fees and penalty charges as part of its ongoing reform of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This follows the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to a 2023 consultation on EPC reform and outlines plans to introduce new EPC regulations in 2025, with enforcement scheduled for 2026.

The Department for Communities (DfC) wants to boost homeownership and support 4,000 households purchasing homes over the next four years. The latest funding will also enable 1,200 new builds to expand the much-needed housing options for first-time buyers.

The £77 million investment in flood protection for 2025-26, is aimed at safeguarding communities from the increasing threat of climate change. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS unveiled the plans in the Senedd, emphasising that the funding comes at a crucial time following severe storms that affected hundreds of properties across Wales.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCLHG) and the Welsh Government have proposed new regulations overhauling how insurance costs are charged to leaseholders in multi-occupancy buildings, to increase transparency and prevent leaseholders from being overcharged through commissions and hidden fees. While Propertymark supports efforts to ensure fairness for leaseholders, we have warned Ministers that these reforms alone will not bring down insurance premiums; a focus on building safety and insurer confidence is needed to achieve real change.

The Welsh Government has committed £90 million in low-interest loans to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to support the delivery of affordable housing and improve existing homes across Wales. The funding aims to help RSLs manage the rising borrowing costs while ensuring the continued development of much-needed affordable homes. The latest round of loans will contribute to the delivery of 277 new homes, with 119 expected to be completed within the current Senedd term.

With the Renters’ Rights Bill on the horizon, the private rented sector (PRS) is set for significant change. As part of this, the bill will be introducing an Ombudsman which will hold landlords and letting agents to higher standards of accountability, ensuring tenants have a clear route to escalate disputes. Proactive landlords and agents can take steps now to prevent issues from reaching this stage, saving time, stress, and reputational damage in the process.

The Scottish Government is consulting on the process for a Mental Health Moratorium designed to give people with severe mental health conditions respite from debt recovery action, including rent arrears. Propertymark supports the proposals with recommendations to ensure the scheme works effectively in practice and recognises the rights of landlords.

The Northern Ireland Executive has published a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy with proposals for improving energy efficiency in homes, protecting consumers, and fostering collaboration across sectors. Propertymark supports the key principles but has highlighted critical areas that need further consideration, including achievable timescales, sensible exemptions, and cost caps that reflect property values.

The Scottish Government has launched a review of fire safety regulations following the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire in 2017. Recommendations from the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) highlighted key safety failings and proposed regulatory changes to prevent similar incidents in the future with a particular focus on traditional buildings converted to be used as hotels.

As widely expected, there was an uplift in activity in the sales market due mainly to the Stamp Duty thresholds changing in April, which will see many homeowners pay more property tax in England and Northern Ireland.

Fraudsters exploited the vulnerabilities in the property transaction system by stealing a homeowner’s identity and using a fake driving license to set up a bank account in his name to facilitate a sale in 2021. After four years, on 11 March 2025, a County Court finally granted the owner full possession of his home.

Propertymark has responded to the UK Government’s consultation on proposals to streamline the infrastructure planning process consultation, highlighting key areas where improvements can be made while ensuring the interests of local communities and property professionals are safeguarded. Importantly, we recommend a stronger emphasis on public approval during the pre-application process to ensure that only well-supported projects move forward quickly.

The Bill aims to modernise the UK's planning system, promoting rapid housing development and infrastructure while balancing environmental sustainability. Members should prepare for a dynamic landscape with new opportunities and responsibilities as these reforms take effect, offering new avenues for growth while necessitating adaptability to regulatory changes and a commitment to sustainable development.

The Universal Credit Fair Repayment Rate will drop from 25% to 15%, reducing the amount available to service an individual’s monthly debts, including housing payments. Furthermore, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to overhaul the system of the automatic deduction of arrears and ongoing rent payments directly from tenants' Universal Credit or other benefits, following a court ruling which deemed the practice unlawful.

Client accounting goes beyond bookkeeping—it's key to an agent’s reputation. An agent’s brand can take years to build but can be undone in days when something goes wrong. A strong reputation drives referrals and precedes first contact with new clients, landlords, suppliers and prospective staff. A strong local brand helps the agency grows faster and gain more value, so protecting and nurturing it has to be a top priority for any manager or owner.